Thursday, September 30, 2010

The WAGS have retreated to the background. Captain Colin has remained relatively Malaprop free. What's left, the sun sets in the East? The betting houses stand to reap the largest reward with Celtic Manor hosting. The Brits will bet on how long a fly will stay on a sausage. Ladbrokes lists Europe as 4/7 to win back the Cup and the USA as 7/4 to retain it. As defenders the US would keep the trophy should this week's matches end in a tie.

Here's a look at the first fourball, (best ball), matches that start in a few hours. As much as I love the Ryder Cup I'm not playing night owl to get a glimpse.

Not much surprise in matches 1 or 3 other than Pavin's decision to send Mickelson's group out first rather than Woods'. Westwood's injury may very well tell the story. Stricker and Woods, by all accounts, should handle Poulter and Fisher. Fourball is a birdie hunt. That's why I expect the US to win both matches, with a worst case scenario being 1 1/2 pts. grabbed by groups 1 & 3.

Groups 2 & 4 have potential disaster written all over them for the US. Cink has played well since winning the 2009 Open Championship and Kuchar, by his own admission, is exhausted. I still can't figure out how a pro golfer can become exhausted plying his trade. Geez, it ain't brick laying! McIlroy could have a birdie putt on every hole. McDowell's riding the crest of his US Open win and has played well all summer. Give this one to the Euros. Match 4 is bewildering. Bubba and hot-head Jeff Overton, both Ryder rookies, force Furyk and Zach Johnson to sit. It's great to get the rooks out on the course, but spread it out a little Pavin and don't pair them. Watson and Overton can make a lot of birdies. Why not spread the wealth? On the downside, they can lose a lot of balls as well. Why not dilute that with a more experienced partner? Hey, if they win, Pavin's brilliant.

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

30 men enter, one leaves $10,000,000.00 richer. That's 2.5 mil. per round for you math majors. THE TOUR Championship at East Lake is the venue for the home stretch of the FedEx Cup and last money event of the year for the chosen 30. Conspicuously absent will be Tiger Woods, winner of two of these things, but not qualified in this his meltdown year. Let's hope he's home working out the obvious kinks in his game in the run up to the Ryder Cup.

If you've been to this site before you know the drill. We use Ladbrokes, the venerable British betting houses' latest odds, comment on player's chances or lack thereof, then pick three top picks and a dark horse. Sounds easy doesn't it? Well, if it was that easy everybody would be doin' it. So, without any pomp or circumstance, here we go.....

Phil Mickelson, 7/1 - Favorite with no betting public pulling for Woods. Can't keep it on the property. Won't win.

Steve Stricker, 8/1 - Would be 16/1 with Woods in the field. Could win, won't. Stricker's solid, just missing the magic from previous years.

Adam Scott, 14/1 - Playing better than I thought he would of late. Seems to be out of 3 year slumber. Kid could win.

Jim Furyk, 16/1 - I've picked him all year only to be let down. Putter isn't the same as his best years. Won't win.

Ernie Els, 16/1 - Big fella loses when I pick him, wins when I don't. Like to see him win, so I won't pick him.

Luke Donald, 20/1 - Lovely short game helps. If the putter's hot, Luke could win here.

Retief Goosen, 20/1 - Goose has let me down all year. No reason to think that changes this week. Won't win.

Zach Johnson, 20/1 - Just the venue for ZJ. Holds the course record, 60. He'll sneak up on Sunday and win before anyone knows what hit them. Could win.

Best of the rest.....

Everyone's good this late into the playoffs. Notables to watch include Mahan, Day, Watson, Rose, Moore, Watney, Palmer, and hot Hoffman. Seriously, no great surprise if any one of the 30 pulls out a victory. Full field and 1st round tee times.

Friday, September 10, 2010

Paul Casey carded a pair of 69s in the first two rounds of the BMW Championship at Cog Hill. That placed him two strokes behind Charlie Wi and Matt Kuchar. Casey's well within sniffing distance to claim a win and provide European Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie with a serious case of second guessing. Currently 14th in the FedEx Cup standings, Casey's a virtual lock to advance to the season ending event, THE TOUR Championship, one week before the Ryder Cup. He'll be in a field of only 30, thereby increasing his odds of Monty regretting skipping over the 9th ranked player in the world when selecting his Ryder squad. Part of the rationale in not choosing Casey was his full time involvement in the PGA Tour. Somehow that didn't digest well with Euro xenophobes. Truth is Casey has teed it up in 2010 in 11 European or joint PGA/Euro tournaments. At Cog Hill today some American spectators were heard offering Casey a temporary green card and selection to the US team. I don't care who you are, that's funny.

Monty has the unique ability to open mouth, insert foot. I'm looking forward to the inevitable gaffes afforded by open microphones in the next few weeks. Some people are just natural targets. Lotsa room for a bullseye on ole' Monty. Should be fun!

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Tiger Woods is reportedly working on a new swing under the eye of Sean Foley. What's Phil's excuse? Neither Ryder Cup teammate looked the part of #s 1 and 2 in the world at the BMW Championship as Woods struggled to a +2, 73 and Mickelson posted a +1, 72, both in contrast to 1st round leader Matt Kuchar's -7, 64. Woods began his day with a double bogey on his first hole and then played par golf the rst of the way. He hit 36% of the fairways and 56% of the greens, hardly inspiring numbers. Mickelson by comparison hit just 50% of the fairways and 61% of the greens to back up his 73. Woods had posted 11 consecutive rounds in the 60s here at Cog Hill prior to today's pedestrian performance. Neither player was exactly confidence inspiring with an impending Ryder Cupon enemy turf looming.

Fanning the flames for Player of the Year consideration was Matt Kuchar, whose brilliant 64 led Ryan Moore by one and Ian Poulter by two at day's end. Kuchar nailed 64% of his fairways, 78% of his greens in regulation and needed just 26 putts to complete the circuit. Kuchar entered the event 1st in FedEx Cup points and appears to be feathering his already comfortable nest. Full Field 1st Round Scores.

Woods is attempting to become the first player to begin the FedEx Cup "playoffs" outside of the top 100 and qualify for the Tour Championship which consists of the last 30 men standing. Not lookin' real good for Tiger.

The idiot that started this.

Avid golfer. Been playing in earnest for the last 13 years. Trying to figure out how to play the 50+ rounds I used to play before a recent career change.Open to any and all ideas. A member of the Golf Clubmakers Association, (GCA). I enjoy building and repairing clubs. I like dogs a lot. Big dogs. Cats are for other people to like.
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